On clear symbols
I’ve theorized before that one of the most important tests as to how Canadians view their country over the next few years figures to involve public perceptions of Tim Hortons…
taxes
On selective concerns
The past decade-plus in Canadian politics has seen a non-stop series of changes to tax rates and structures – with a particular focus on handing yet more money to those…
Sunday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your weekend. – Bruce Anderson worries that the Cons might think they face no restriction on their ability to get away with dirty tricks. But Noah…
Room for progressivity
Yes, I know some commentators are treating the latest from Kevin Milligan et al. as somehow proving a point that raising high-income tax levels won’t accomplish anything. But I’d think…
Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Stephen Maher points out the type of government that we’ve come to count on under the ultra-controlling Harper political model: This presidentialization…
Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week. – Murray Dobbin comments on how the NDP can turn economic issues from a perceived weakness to one of the party’s core strengths over…
Democrats are Dreaming
In a somewhat strange turn of events it seems the Democrats who contiguous talk themselves as being the party that will save Social Security is now the party that quite…
Leadership 2012 – Policy Roundup
As the NDP’s leadership race moves into the limelight, the candidates are starting to unveil some of their policy priorities. As I’ve mentioned it’s an open question as to how…
Alberta Tories talk taxes
Very interesting debate going on in Alberta: “Alta. Tories defend talk about provincial sales tax.” The Alberta PCs are finding themselves in a budget bind, with dwindling revenues from energy…
Parliament In Review: October 28, 2011
Friday, October 28 saw another day largely dedicated to debate on the gun registry, with plenty more key points by the opposition met with the Cons’ usual wall of refusal…
Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Stephanie Larocque highlights the Cons’ gall in hanging onto federal reimbursements from their own ad scam even after having admitted their guilt: You…
On optimal choices
It’s a plus that we’re seeing some discussion in Canada as to the optimal income tax rate to maximize revenue. But Paul Krugman goes a step further in pointing out…
Hey, we’re not overtaxed
Came across this chart posted on Henry Blodget’s blog as he made a comparative point to Americans that their tax revenues could stand to be raised. As Harper et al.…
Parliament In Review: October 24, 2011
Monday, October 24 saw another day dedicated largely to discussion on the Canadian Wheat Board - with the Cons simultaneously declaring that there's nothing to debate and failing to respond…
The tone deaf Christmas tree tax
The US Department of Agriculture has announced it is imposing a fifteen cent tax on all live Christmas trees. The 2 million raised from this tax will be spent to…
My parents deserve healthcare too!
Last week the Canadian government decided to stop accepting sponsor application for parent and grandparent applications. They have decided that they can’t process any more sponsorship application for parents of…
Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading.- Dan Gardner highlights how Stephen Harper is imposing exactly the kind of costly, top-down policies on Canada's provinces that he once railed against:This week,…
On diversions
It should come as no surprise that the Globe and Mail's ongoing paean to high-end charitable tax breaks is apparently linked to a request from the Harper Cons. But perhaps…
Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week.- Tim Harper wonders what's next for the Occupy movement, but rightly notes that state crackdowns are completely unwarranted. And Jacqueline Kennelly highlights the value…